After gathering the corpses of Meneldin's crew, the survivors of both groups teleport to the teleportation circle in the Central Conclave of Kitheroc. Guards surround them, lacking permission to be there. A balding, well-dressed orcish gentleman approaches, demanding to know who they are. They are ordered to be arrested, but second member calls for them to be left alone. Mira recognizes them as being very similar to her half-brother. The man vouches for them, and they are allowed to leave. They borrow? a cart off a merchant and transport the bodies to the Adventurer's Guild. The party makes an agreement regarding making sure Meneldin's crew gets paid from his estate, and also agree to meet later that night to go over what happened. On the way, they determine that Meneldin's journal is magically protected and will require more work to open than they have time for now. They also loot the bodies. They are able to leave the bodies with the staff of the guild for a time, and are given passes to the local bathhouse.

Alibi emerges from Talthis' backpack, revealing that she was able to retrieve a total of four of the gems Meneldin's group had recovered, meaning the only missing ones were the ones on Safala. Ward ponders why people aren't really able to resurrect people anymore, whether Vera was a strange druid or something. Vera's resurrection magic is weaker than a proper resurrection or might reincarnate you. Resurrections in general are less common due to the lack of powerful clerics. They meet up with Cecily and catch her up to speed on matters. Cecily recognizes Gram Fulkin as one of the elite vampires from ancient times, a contemporary of Strahd. She will look into them, and the party departs to rest and discuss matters.

Ward explains what happened previously with Fulkin and the SMF, that Elliard, acting as head researcher, betrayed them for the SMF. Their connection with the lab that Dorean is from is presumably a new development. Their activities in the sewers will likely be ended since the party managed to escape, and if not, the party is probably expected. They debate the possibility and costs of resurrecting various fallen members of Meneldin's crew, specifically Hiroto, Myrdra, and Bazan; Vera intended to purchase diamonds the next day anyway, so will look into that.

That evening, the party returns to the adventurer's guild. Of the survivors, Modrod is the only one not present. Ward explains generally who the SMF are. Thyrr and Beryn aren't interested in bringing anyone back, but Fladict offers to help with Bazan, while Motoko wants to bring back Hiroto. Fladict points out a couple of potential shops that might have diamonds—Roc's Rocks and Caiman's Emporium. On the eastern continent, Fladict had seen Meneldin with Luna's mother and sister four years prior, and a year later he'd see Lyra.

Ward falls asleep at his desk. He wakes up with a blanket around his shoulders.

Introduced

• Chosen Faron - Conclave member
• Red Prince

Returning

• "Beryn" Berynneth - Succubus
• Fladict - Elven Archer
• Thyrr Bloodmuzzle - Gnoll archer
• Cricket
• Chinomene
• Dorethe
• Inumoder
• Talthis Vim
• Alibi
• Cecily Cardew
• Blarig
• Honish

Mentioned

• Meneldin
• Gram Fulkin
• Elliard Methuss
• Doctor Hayward
• Bozja - Bazan's dog in a battleaxe
• Bazan - Goliath Barbarian
• Modrod - Modrod

• 12 gp, 2 sp (on Meneldin, by Vera and Eck)
• small jeweled barrette (on Meneldin, by Vera and Eck)
• 326 gp, 26 sp, 47cp (on Meneldin's crew, by Vera and Eck)
• various trinkets (on Meneldin's crew, by Vera and Eck)
• picture of Bozja - he was a corgi (on Bazan, by Vera and Eck)
• black gemstone crackling with lightning (on Garton, by Vera and Eck)